will not idle
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
will not idle
I have a 93 sportster that did not get much ride time last year. I just installed a new tank that has been lined and is clean. The last time I rode it, it did alot of bucking and jerking. I fired it up the other day and it will not idle. When at running speed it runs great. Say I come to a stop sign or need to really slow down it will die. when sitting still, if I hold the throttle just a bit it will fast idle but as soon as you let the throttle go it will die. I have installed a new vacuum piston, bowl gasket and intake gasket. cleaned all the jets and ports. everything seems wonderful, but it will NOT idle at all. Any suggestions anyone?????
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: will not idle
I didn't see if you replaced the fuel line as well. As you suspect, it doesn't take much to clog the pilot jet. Some crapola may have made its way down. Don't have a '93, but I presume you adjusted the idle speed. On later models its done at the cable.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 31
From: Florida
RE: will not idle
The pilot jet is the jet that controls the idle and low speed, it has a feed orifice about the size of straight pin. You have to remove the jet and clean it because the varnish (bad Gas by product) will clog that super small hole. The jet is located beside the big main jet but you will have to look up inside the stand off and with a very small screw driver (like those pocket screw drivers with a clip and magnet on top) remove the jet .You should be able to see through the jet when held up to the light, if not take a pin and some kind of cleaner ( I use Break Kleen) and clean that baby out until you can see through it. shine a light up in the pilot jet cavity (stand off) then look at the inlet of the carb and you will see two very small holes ( air bleeds) there is one at 6:00 and one at 7:00, make sure you can see that light shining through the 7:00 hole from the light in the pilot jet stand off. If no light is visible clean that port out (the air bleed)
Install the pilot jet back in the standoff making sure it is good and tight, assemble the carb and your good to go......if it doesn't work PM me again.
Good Luck
Install the pilot jet back in the standoff making sure it is good and tight, assemble the carb and your good to go......if it doesn't work PM me again.
Good Luck
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: will not idle
If you have a wire brush, pull a wire out of it and use it to clean the orifices of the pilot jet. Brake clean, carb clean, all willwork. If you have compressed air, blow it out as well.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
RE: will not idle
ok fellas, I installed a new stock idle jet for a 883, and now it will almost idle. do I need a bigger jet if it has a 1200 kit installed? if i barely touch the throttle it does a little better.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: will not idle
Good question. The main jet for sure, but the pilot jet, I dunno...likely would help low speed performance though. For just a few bucks you could find out. To get the benefit of a 1200 kit, you should re-jet. The idea is to get more fuel and air through the engine. There are articles on re-jetting on the forum. Check with whomever you bought the kit from for recommendations. Factors like elevation even effect jetting. Did you also check the idle adjustment cable? Perhaps the earlier models have a screw...I'm not sure.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
RE: will not idle
I'm gonna put a new 45 jet in vs. the 42 and see what happens. I'll keep you updated on what happens.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: will not idle
From what I have seen, a 45 pilot jet is a good choice for a 1200 kit. My old Honda CB750 had four carbs, and after cleaning the fuel tank and rinsing with gas many times, still a little crapola came down and clogged at least one of the pilot jets. In the float bowl I found minute black rubber particles from the fuel line, and minute particles of that looked like the tank cleaner I used. The pilot jets took several cleanings to run smooth, and I replaced the fuel lines. The Harley fuel filter is not as good as an in-line cartridge filter. If it runs for awhile OK, then shows the same symptoms, an in-line filter may help.
Here is a good discussion on jetting, idle adjustment, and mixture adjustment:
http://www.sportster.org/tech/carb/rejetting.shtml
Here is a good discussion on jetting, idle adjustment, and mixture adjustment:
http://www.sportster.org/tech/carb/rejetting.shtml
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
RE: will not idle
Well guys, I changed the 42 to a 45,cleaned out the little holes in the main jet, and med some adjustments to the throttle cables and it idles pretty good. That was after it had warmed up a few minutes. guess I'll see what happens when it cold tomorrow. Thanks to doc 1 and dorkman for your input.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
